The holidays are all about spending money on others, so it's no surprise that money gets pretty tight around this time of the year. To help, we've put together a list of seven different deals, from a float spa session to a Mexican feast, all currently on sale on Groupon.

Disclosure: While this post is not sponsored, Hoodline may receive compensation from affiliate links used herein.

Practice yoga at You and the Mat

Working out in the city isn't always cheap or easy, but You and the Mat, a yoga studio located at 3966 Piedmont Ave., is trying to lessen the blow by offering a package of 10 classes, originally $175, for $29 this holiday season. Classes include yoga for energy, restorative yoga, yoga for flexibility and more.

Relax with a cryo session at Reboot

If you're looking to try something new, how about spending an afternoon at Reboot Rockridge, a floating and cryo spa situated at 6239 College Ave.? A 60-minute floating session between Monday-Thursday, which is supposed to bring you to a "state of ultra-deep relaxation," is originally $89, but it's currently available on the site for $49.

Catch a performance by Circus Veritas

Grab the entire family for a night of fun and wonder at Circus Veritas, a show put on by the members of Kinetic Arts Production, Oakland's favorite contemporary circus company. Individual tickets for the four performances on December 16th and 17th are normally $32.50, but Groupon is currently offering it for $26.50 per person.

Indulge at Simply Green Day Spa

Treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon at Simply Green Day Spa, located at 630 Grand Ave., before the holiday craze ensues. A pedicure, normally $28, is on sale for $15, a 60-minute massage with a pedicure is on sale for $59 and a pedicure with a signature facial is available for $69.

Hang with the Harlem Globetrotters

Get an early start to 2018 by purchasing ticket to the Harlem Globetrotters Games, which take place at Oracle Arena beginning January 13th. Tickets to the 2pm and 7pm performances on the 13th and the 20th are usually $69.95 per person, but for a limited time, they're on sale for $42.

Chow down on Mexican food

If you've been craving Mexican food lately, you're in luck. Molcajete Cocina Mexicana, located at 1734 Webster St., is offering two different deals for an upcoming dinner. A night out for two, including guacamole, two enchiladas or enmoladas plates and two flans, is on sale for $26, and a prix fixe dinner for four, which comes with guacamole, nachos mariscos, four dinner plates and four flans, is available for $51.

Stop by the Oakland Aviation Museum

For date night or a double date, consider a visit to the Oakland Aviation Museum, which is located at 8252 Earhart Rd. and open between Tuesday-Sunday. A bundle for two and four are usually $24 and $48, respectively, but for a limited time, they're currently on sale for $10.50 and $20.50.

Oakland Opens Sheds To House Homeless Near Downtowntag:hoodline.com,2010-01-01:/2017/12/oakland-opens-sheds-to-house-homeless-near-downtown

The first 20 sheds have been placed on a lot once used by PG&E for equipment storage.

2017-12-13T14:54:56-08:002017-12-13T14:54:56-08:00Matt Savener

Oakland

Photos: Matt Savener/Hoodline

Oakland’s latest effort to house its homeless residents kicked off last week when the city opened the doors to 20 outdoor sheds on an empty lot near downtown.

The structures will temporarily house 40 people who now live on the city's streets, often in tents in one of dozens of encampments scattered across the city.

The city selected a lot bordered by Sixth, Seventh, Castro, and Brush Streets, near the Interstate 880-980 merge in the Acorn district. The East Bay Times reported that PG&amp;E originally rented the land for equipment storage but turned over the site to the city.

On Tuesday morning, Assistant to the City Administrator Joe DeVries walked the streets around the site, attempting to coax people in nearby encampments to consider moving into the sheds.

DeVries said efforts to attract residents has been met with some reticence and skepticism, in part because of “misconceptions about what’s happening here."

Some unhoused residents reportedly believe the sanctioned encampment has a curfew and prohibits dogs, but residents are asked to sign in and out for safety purposes, and officials have constructed a dog run. For the holidays, workers have strung up holiday lights and plan to put up a Christmas tree.

DeVries said 11 new residents moved in last week, and the sheds were about 25 percent occupied as of Tuesday. City officials were expecting a two- to three-week ramp-up for the site, which is going as expected, he added.

As of yesterday, the sheds were 25 percent occupied.

DeVries added that planning for a second site is underway and funding has been secured, but a specific site has not yet been chosen. Construction of that site is expected “in the new year,” he said.

The sheds do not have electricity, but there are shared on-site toilet and sanitation facilities. The site has security guards, a site manager, and a case manager to help residents. Mobile hygeine nonprofit Lava Mae will visit the sanctioned encampment weekly to provide showers, reports East Bay Times.

In September, the city chose three potential sites for the sheds, one of which is the new site. The other two are 3831 Martin Luther King Jr. Way (near Macarthur BART) and East 12th Street and 23rd Avenue (near Interstate 880 in the San Antonio neighborhood).

Homelessness in Alameda County increased 39 percent in the last two years, according to survey data released in May. An overwhelming majority of homeless residents (82 percent) were last housed locally.

In November, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said at a news conference that the sheds are “not a permanent solution. This is a right-now intervention.”

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A Closer Look At Haight Street's New Underground Comics Publishertag:hoodline.com,2010-01-01:/2017/12/a-closer-look-at-haight-street-s-new-underground-comics-publisher

Until the landlord finds a long-term tenant, art collective Silver Sprocket will hold down the spot.

2017-12-13T13:50:53-08:002017-12-13T13:39:01-08:00Camden Avery

Upper Haight

Photos: Camden Avery/Hoodline

Late last month we reported on the surprise opening of Silver Sprocket, an art collective that releases records and comics which recently moved into a storefront at 1685 Haight St. (between Cole and Belvedere).

We spoke to founder Ari Ehrlich, who started the group 20 years ago at age 14, and has been running it out of a bedroom and basement on Valencia Street until this fall.

Ehrlich said Silver Sprocket landed a deal with the landlord to occupy the space and deter vandalism, with the proviso that they depart with two weeks' notice.

"We hope to be here for a while, but it's unknown," Ehrlich said. Signs indicating that the property is for rent still adorn the front window.

Ehrlich, who used to live at Haight and Clayton, said the long-term goal was a sustainable comics shop sporting work by local artists "to showcase and support San Francisco's vibrant independent comics scene. But baby steps, we have to finish installing our own work and learn how to run a store first."

The offerings at the shop include work by Silver Sprocket artists and house-published comics and zines, as well as originals by published artists.

"We publish local artists," Ehrlich said, "but also people from all over the world in the punk rock, anarchist, activist communities."

One show, pictured at this article's header, is a collection of work whose proceeds go to providing legal support for the J20 in New Orleans, who face felony charges for their actions during Trump's January inauguration.

On top of that, there's a current show of work by the Degenderettes (pictured below). "Yep," Ehrlich said, "we have all of your baseball playing and wood chopping needs covered right here."

Ehrlich said being back in the Haight was "surreal. It's like Disneyland, but with tourists." But the store's ethos—which emphasizes collaboration and artists' rights—fits the neighborhood's vibe.

"Everything here is artist-owned," Ehrlich said. "We work at the artists' pleasure, and we're collaborators and co-conspirators."

Silver Sprocket is open daily from noon to 7pm.

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Former 'Ruby Skye' Reborn As 'August Hall,' With Live Music, Bowling & Cocktailstag:hoodline.com,2010-01-01:/2017/12/former-ruby-skye-reborn-as-august-hall-with-live-music-bowling-cocktails

The partners recreating the space plan to offer a more inclusive venue that concentrates on live music.

2017-12-13T13:37:16-08:002017-12-13T11:22:44-08:00Carrie Sisto

Lower Nob Hill, Mid-Market, Tenderloin, Union Square

Rendering of of August Hall. | Via August Hall

A group of Bay Area natives are turning the former Ruby Skye nightclub into a new venue with cocktails, live music, bowling and a restaurant slated to open next spring.

The new space, to be called August Hall, will have a three-lane bowling alley on its ground floor and a music venue upstairs, partner Nate Valentine told Hoodline. "We want to make it approachable," he said.

The building on Mason between Geary and Post was dedicated on September 15, 1912. | Historical rendering courtesy of NSGW

“It’s a very local team—born and raised in and around San Francisco—and we have focused on making the venue inclusive,” added Britt Hull of the Tide Design Co.

Hull said said renovation work is improving the sight lines from every seat, and a new sound system crafted by d&amp;b audiotechnik has taken priority throughout the design process.

The balance of designing to balance the building's historical aesthetic with the acoustic demands of the sound system has proved to be “design problem-solving at its core,” Hull said. Parisa O’Connell Interior Design is collaborating with Hull in the design process.

The new venue is named after the building’s architect. Built in the 1890s, 420 Mason St. has housed a variety of uses, but has not seen any major structural changes.

“Much of the building has been touched up here and there, with projects on top of projects,” Valentine said.

"It has been a huge project stripping the many rooms and spaces down to the bones to evaluate what is salvageable,” Hull added. When possible, workers seek to reveal and protect the building's history, but when changes must be made, the team strives to make them conform to the original design.

Rendering of August Hall's back bar. | Courtesy August Hall

Because of the partners’ respect for the building’s history, working with the Planning Historical Preservation department has not been a struggle, Valentine said. The most difficult aspect to reach agreement with the city on has been the external signage, he said.

Ruby Skye's marquee. | Photo: Carrie Sisto/Hoodline

As we previously reported, the partners hope August Hall’s programming will range from formal concerts to EDM shows to comedy acts. The upstairs venue will fit 750 for seated concerts and 1,000 for dancing events.

There's not an average price point for tickets at this point, but Valentine said pricing will be "very cognizant of our audience, because we are the audience."

The restaurant will be open seven days a week to all ages, all of the time, Valentine said. The name stems from a bowling lane marking reference.

Slide will become a bowling alley and sports bar. | Photo: Slide

Two of the three lanes will be available for reservations, but at least one will always be available for walk-in use.

Pizza will be the staple of the restaurant, Valentine said, providing the heart of a shareable menu. There will be a couple of mains offered, and some finger foods, but the team intends to focus on several pizzas they can be really proud of, he said.

The partners are working with Live Nation San Francisco to book artists. No acts have been scheduled yet, but an early schedule is expected to be announced in early 2018, spokesperson Megan Zamiska said.

The Outer Sunset-based ice cream maker is opening its first physical location next spring or summer.

2017-12-13T12:45:53-08:002017-12-13T12:45:53-08:00Will Carruthers

Outer Sunset, Portola

Photos: Churn Urban Creamery

A plan to bring a popular Outer Sunset pop-up ice creamery to the Portola is getting closer to reality.

In January, contractors for Churn Creamery will begin renovating a long-vacant, 1,000-square-foot space in the Avenue Theater (2650 San Bruno Ave. between Bacon and Burrows). Rica Sunga-Kwan, the Outer Sunset resident behind Churn, hopes to open a permanent retail space next spring or summer.

The ice cream operation is a pop-up business founded in 2016 that makes appearances at the Outer Sunset's Andytown Coffee Roasters and events around the city, but this is its first permanent location.

The idea for the expansion began in March when the Office of Economic and Workforce Development gave Sunga-Kwan a tour of the Avenue Theater.

At the time, Sunga-Kwan hadn't thought about bringing Churn to its own brick-and-mortar location. But when she visited, she was awed by the location and the work that the city and neighbors were putting into the historic venue.

"I couldn't say no after seeing the space," Sunga-Kwan said.

In September, after five years of organizing, a new neon sign lit up the theatre. Neighbors hope it will lure new businesses to the vacant spaces.

The space that will house Churn has been vacant since 2007. Neighbors wanted to see a restaurant move into the space, but complications with the lease got in the way, said Luke Spray, corridor manager with the Portola Neighborhood Association.

Spray said Churn has been a great partner. "I have been impressed by how hard Churn has worked at fixing some of the problems with the space," he said. Sunga-Kwan acknowledged that the location needs a lot of work.

"We're building our creamery from the ground up," she said. "The walls and the ceiling are all that will stay."

Sunga-Kwan founded Churn in an effort to gauge the public's interest without investing too much money in the venture, but after two years of testing flavors, she said she's ready for the steady investment that a permanent store requires.

Construction will begin in January. To fund the move, Sunga-Kwan said she plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign in early 2018.

In January, SFMTA will begin working on permanent upgrades to improve safety at the intersection.

2017-12-12T22:57:51-08:002017-12-12T17:46:19-08:00Steven Bracco

Castro, Duboce Triangle

Traffic was disrupted for hours in the Castro last night. | Photo: Anthony O'Donnell/Hoodline Tipline

Last night, a multi-vehicle collision involving a UCSF shuttle bus and three vehicles at the Castro intersection of Market, Noe and 16th streets injured two people and disrupted traffic for hours.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:40pm. According to UCSF's Senior Public Information Representative Laura Kurtzman, "the shuttle was heading from the UCSF Parnassus campus to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital."

Two drivers were transported to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, said Kurtzman. "No passengers were on board the shuttle bus, and the driver was unhurt," she added.

Photo: Anthony O'Donnell/Hoodline Tipline

Police are investigating the cause of the collision. "Safety is of paramount importance, and we are continually working to improve the safety of our shuttle system," said Kurtzman.

Hoodline contacted SFPD for comment but did not receive a reply before press time. Via social media, onlookers shared images of damaged and disabled vehicles, which were spread across the entire intersection.

In February, SFMTA spokesperson Ben Jose told Hoodline that between July 2011 and June 2016, there were 174 total crashes along this stretch of Market Street. Of those, 22 crashes involved a pedestrian and 51 involved a bicyclist.

Photo: Anthony O'Donnell/Hoodline Tipline

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has selected this intersection for safety upgrades as part of the Upper Market Street Safety Project, but permanent upgrades like parking-protected bike lanes, sidewalk extensions, and improved intersection wayfinding/guidance markings have not been installed.

When reached for an update, Jose told Hoodline that "work on the Upper Market Street project is anticipated to begin in January."

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8 Of The Best Deals Currently Trending In San Franciscotag:hoodline.com,2010-01-01:/2017/12/8-of-the-best-deals-currently-trending-in-san-francisco

From unlimited yoga to discounted hotel rates, check out some of the city's most popular Groupon deals.

With all of the holiday shopping and preparation during this time of year, money can be tight. To help, we've rounded up eight of the best deals and discounts, from a bread-making class to a Zombie-themed escape room and more, that are currently trending on Groupon in San Francisco.

Disclosure: While this post is not sponsored, Hoodline may receive compensation from affiliate links used herein.

Book a night at King George Hotel

Got last-minute friends and relatives coming into town for the holidays? A night at the King George Hotel in Union Square won't break the bank. The 'Superior Queen Room' is available for $99 a night, and the 'Superior Double-Twin Room' and 'Superior King Room' are available for $109 and $115 a night, respectively. These discounts are available until March 2018.

Relax at Rejuvé Wellness Center &amp; Spa

Pamper yourself with a Spa Day Package at Rejuvé Wellness Center &amp; Spa, located on the 14th floor at 421 Post St. For $99, the package, which generally goes for $200, includes a 60-minute Aromavedic massage, your choice of aromatherapy, a glass of champagne, a 20-minute SolTec lounge stress-reducing session and $20 off the next visit.

Learn how to bake bread

If you're considering a New Year's resolution of learning how to bake or cook, get started early with a bread-making workshop with Sour Flour at La Victoria Bakery in the Mission (2937 24th St.). A ticket for one is usually $80, but is currently available for $39.

Catch a Christmas gospel show

Two general admission tickets for 'Soulful Christmas: A Gospel Holiday Concert,' a performance put on by the members of Lorraine Hansberry Theatre are currently on sale on Groupon for $20. Tickets are available for upcoming shows taking place on the 16th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd.

Become a yogi at Yoga Works

Working out in the city can get expensive, but Yoga Works at 1823 Divisadero St. is currently offering a special for 70 percent off. Yoga enthusiasts can get three weeks of unlimited Hatha, Vinyasa and YW signature flow classes, originally $100, for $30.

Have an intimate French dinner

Treat yourself and your partner to an upscale French meal at Chouchou, located at 400 Dewey Blvd. in Forest Hill. A dinner for two, which includes two dinner entrees, two glasses of house wine and a dessert, originally $101.90, is currently being offered for $72. A lunch option, which comes with two salads, two entrees and one dessert, is also available, for $40.50.

This year, residents of Districts 7, 8 and 10 have an opportunity to partake in participatory budgeting, a process that lets supervisors set aside a pot of public money for local improvements that are selected by neighbors.

“That means that instead of the supervisor identifying projects he thinks would be beneficial,” said Erica Maybaum, District 7 Supervisor Norman Yee’s legislative aide, “he secures funding and lets the residents come up with proposals and vote on the ideas.”

Yee has made participatory budgeting a priority—in each of the five years he's served on the Board of Supervisors, he's offered District 7 residents over the age of 16 a chance to shape their environment. Past winning projects include traffic-calming measures, crime reduction efforts and mural grants.

This year, Yee’s office will distribute $550,000 to District 7 projects.

According to Maybaum, $250,000 of this year’s participatory budgeting dollars in District 7 have been allocated for projects pertaining to the city’s Vision Zero initiative, something that neighbors feel is important.

Last year, more than 2,400 residents cast nearly 18,000 votes on different civic improvement projects (neighbors can vote for more than one project).

Projects relating to Vision Zero are important to District 7 residents. | Photo: Diane Yee/Flickr

“We believe this is an amazing opportunity for civic engagement,” Maybaum said. “It’s completely community driven, and more and more people vote every year.”

Yee’s office received 46 applications in FY 2016-2017, and Maybaum said she expects more applications this year.

In District 7, a neighborhood council made up of seven to eight community members will review submitted applications and narrow the pool down to the top 20 projects.

The Controller’s office—with input from agencies like SFMTA, Public Works, Rec and Parks and the Arts Commission—will then review the projects to assess their feasibility and anticipated cost. At this time, proposals that share similarities will often be combined.

The review process will last from December to mid-March.

Participatory budgeting is a popular practice in New York City. | Photo: Daniel Latorre/Flickr

At that point, the most feasible project descriptions will be translated, and during two weeks in the spring, the community will vote on projects, either online or, depending on the district, in person.

Winners will be announced soon thereafter, with funds distributed in the summer of 2018. Winning projects are assigned to a corresponding city agency and a project manager who will oversee implementation.

“Last year, we had 18 projects across nine city departments,” Maybaum said, adding that she keeps tabs on each one. In general, projects are meant to be completed within the fiscal year; however, others, like mural installations, which require a Request for Proposal (RFP), often take more time.

The shop now has more room for on-site dining and a reconfigured queue.

2017-12-12T14:03:31-08:002017-12-12T12:20:26-08:00Camden Avery

Upper Haight

Photos: Camden Avery/Hoodline

Upper Haight casual Vietnamese food-lovers, fear not: DragonEats, which was closed for a week unexpectedly, reopened last Saturday after a light renovation.

The work allowed for a reconfiguration of the kitchen—which had largely been inherited from predecessor Sunrise Deli—to reduce its overall footprint and expand the front of the shop for diners and the ordering line.

Offerings on the menu are, for now, the same, focusing on an array of banh mi, bowls, rolls, salads, and drinks in the $6 to $8 range.

DragonEats opened on Haight Street almost two years ago, and is serving affordable, casual Vietnamese daily from 11am-6pm, and until 5pm on Sundays.

Thanks to tipster Allison.

Have you noticed something new on the food scene? Text your tips to 415-200-3233 or email tips@hoodline.com.

In this edition of SF Eats, we bring you two new businesses that have opened in the Mission and Potrero Hill, two closures in North Beach, and a few updates on eateries that have moved or have temporarily closed.

If we missed an opening or closing in your neighborhood, email tips@hoodline.com or send a quick text to 415-200-3233 and we'll give you credit for the tip.

Now Open

Mission: Newkirk's1002 Potrero Ave. (at 22nd Street)

In the Mission, Hoodline tipster extraordinaire Al told us that Newkirk's, located at 1002 Potrero Ave., is now open for business. The space used to belong to New Aux Delices, a Vietnamese restaurant that shuttered back in 2015.

The new eatery offers East-Coast style fried egg sandwiches, clubs and salads in a casual setting. The menu promises more combinations in the future, but customers checking stopping in now can expect to find five fried-egg sandwiches for sale.

In addition, there are six sandwiches featured on the menu, including a cheesesteak ($12), a BLT ($9), a steak sandwich ($12) and others, as well as three salads and Ritual coffee for $3.

Newkirk's is open Monday-Sunday from 8am to 2pm.

Potrero Hill: Junior2545 24th St. (at Utah Street)

In Potrero Hill, Al said Junior, a neighborhood bar that took over the former space that belonged to Jack's Club until 2013, is now serving.

We reported on the new business in September, which included interviews with Matthew Conway and David Ruiz, two of Junior's business partners. The new corner bar features a wide open space with high top tables at the bar and alongside the edge of the space.

"[It's also] complete with an indoor ATM, a photo booth and a back lounge," said Al.

Recently Closed

Over in North Beach, Al reported that Caffee Spuntino, a coffee shop located at 543 Columbus Avenue, recently shuttered for good.

The café, which opened in early 2016, offered an expansive menu of breakfast items, pastries, salads, pizza slices, desserts and more. Some fan favorites included flatbread pizzas that came with various toppings like tomatoes, artichoke, olives, and more, cannellonis, bombolonis and many others.

"They were struggling the first half of the year [so] they offered other savory items including pasta, [but] it didn't help," said Al. "[The place is] now closed and the front window has a no trespassing flyer plastered on window."

No word yet on what's coming in next, but if you see any action taking place inside, text us at 415-200-3233.

North Beach: Sylvia's Bake Shop1501 Grant Ave. (at Union Street)

Al also confirmed that Sylvia's Bake Shop located at 1501 Grant Ave. is definitely closed, thanks to the white paper that was covering the windows when he stopped by.

Updates

In the Financial District, Al said The Garden Restaurant is temporarily closed for renovations. One reason for the renovation us due to the changing restaurant scene, according to a local merchant he spoke with.

"Those old-school furnitures and gold/red and fish tank scenery is just a memory of the past," said the merchant. "Younger families with kids will opt to stay in suburban eateries than coming to Chinatown to fulfill their craving."

Al and Hoodline weren't able to get in touch with the owner, but when we find out when the business will be re-open, we'll let you know.

"We had to close to remodel/remake our business strategy," he said, noting that the eatery is "usually a one person operation."

According to the representative, "the stress of providing the many varieties if options on our menu have affected the owner/chef's health," so the sandwich shop "went to the drawing board to come up with new items that are easier for preparation purposes."

L&amp;G Vietnamese Sandwich is expected to re-open for business in the coming days.

Castro: Doughp2175 Market St. (between Church and Sanchez)

Finally, in the Castro, Hoodline reader Joe T. said Doughp, an ice cream shop that specializes in various flavors of cookie dough, appeared to have closed.

The kiosk inside The Myriad, which we covered back in August, was the first brick-and-mortar spot for the company.

"They didn’t last long. I had noticed that the price of a single scoop dropped from an eye-popping $6, to $5, to $3.95," said Joe.

However, when one of our reporters stopped by the space, he noticed a sign that notified customers of its move to Pier 39. According to its website, customers can find Doughp's newest outpost on the second floor next to Crab House at Pier 39.

Doughp is open Sunday-Thursday from 8am to 9pm and on Friday and Saturday from 8am to 10pm.

Thanks, Al!

Have you seen something interesting while you’re out and about? Text Hoodline, and we’ll try to learn more: 415-200-3233.

An altercation between two drivers ended with gunfire last night in Lower Pacific Heights, police have reported.

The incident occurred at 7:25pm near the intersection of Austin and Gough streets when a 39-year-old man got into an argument with a man and a woman, both approximately 20, who were in another vehicle.

The male suspect exited his vehicle, which was not described, before producing a gun and firing a shot at the victim. The suspect then fled southbound on Gough Street in his car.

The victim was not injured, and no arrests were made.

Anyone who has information about this incident is encouraged to contact SFPD via the department's anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444, or text TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message.

Tell us about your favorite thing to see, taste or do in Oakland for the holidays and you could win a pair of tickets.

2017-12-12T10:25:48-08:002017-12-12T10:17:23-08:00Sponsored

Citywide, Oakland

Photo: San Francisco Symphony

If there's a hole in your calendar this week, we have an idea that'll leave the holiday spirit reverberating in your soul for days.

Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30pm, the San Francisco Symphony is hosting a special holiday performance with the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and two Grammy Award-winning gospel legend at Davies Symphony Hall.

And we've got four pairs of tickets—two per night—up for grabs.

Accompanying SFS on stage both nights are CeCe Winans, the best-selling female gospel artist of all time who holds ten Grammy Awards, and Edwin Hawkins, the Grammy winner who originated the ever-popular hymn “Oh, Happy Day.”

Together, their powerhouse vocals will offer an uplifting night full of soulful, jazzy renditions and holiday classics.

Entering our giveaway is simple. Head to our Hoodline Oakland page on Facebook, find our post about this show and tell us in the comments: What's your favorite thing to see, do or taste in Oakland this time of year?

Participants must be 18 years of age or older and free to attend either performance. We'll pick our four favorite, most sincere, comments and will notify the winners via Facebook by 3pm today. Winners will claim their tickets at the SFS box office before either performance.

If luck isn't on your side, don't despair; tickets range from $25 for seats in the hall's 2nd Tier section up to $79 for Premier Orchestra seats. Learn more about the performance and buy tickets right here on the SF Symphony website.

Lee suffered cardiac arrest last night while shopping for groceries near his Glen Park home.

2017-12-12T09:38:18-08:002017-12-12T09:38:18-08:00Walter Thompson

Citywide

Mayor Ed Lee in November 2016. | Photo: Walter Thompson/Hoodline

Mayor Edwin Mah Lee, the 43rd mayor of San Francisco, died early this morning at San Francisco General Hospital after suffering a heart attack. Lee, 65, is survived by his wife, Anita, and his daughters, Tania and Brianna.

Lee was shopping at a Safeway near his Glen Park home last night around 10:30pm when he experienced cardiac arrest, according to ABC7. After being transported to SFGH for treatment, he passed away at 1:11am in the presence of "family, friends and colleagues," according to a statement from the mayor's office.

As flags over City Hall flew at half mast this morning, politicians issued statements expressing shock and grief.

“My heart breaks for (Lee’s wife) Anita and the mayor’s daughters," said District 10 Supervisor Malia Cohen. "The entire city family is grieving right now."

"I was with him just yesterday and he was his normal jovial joking self," said State Senator Scott Weiner.

"Mayor Ed Lee cared deeply about our city, the safety of its people and the well-being of the men and women of the San Francisco Police Department," said San Francisco Police Chief William Scott. "Our city has lost a great leader and we are shocked and saddened by his passing."

District Attorney George Gascón described Lee's passing as "an unspeakable loss for San Franciscans, but the unimaginable grief that has settled on the Lee household as the holidays near is heartbreaking."

Via Twitter, District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim said Lee was "a truly decent human being who loved a good joke, he stepped up to lead. He will be greatly missed."

Absolutely heartbroken by Mayor Lee's passing. SF has lost a selfless leader and dedicated public servant whose intellect, integrity, boundless optimism &amp; contagious love elevated our City. Jen and I mourn the loss of a dear friend. Our prayers are with Anita, Brianna and Tania. pic.twitter.com/sNagX55s7F

Lee became the city's first Asian-American mayor in January 2011 when he was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill the remainder of Gavin Newsom's term after he was elected lieutenant governor.

After rejecting calls to run for a full term, he was elected mayor in November 2011 and reelected four years later.

Effective immediately, London Breed, president of the Board of Supervisors, is the city's Acting Mayor.

The remaining 10 supervisors may appoint a new mayor to serve the remainder of Lee's term; the next scheduled mayoral election is in November 2019. If the board doesn't select a new mayor, a special election will be called for June 2018.

One person suffered gunshot wounds, but his companion drove him to a hospital.

2017-12-11T18:07:17-08:002017-12-11T17:52:23-08:00Walter Thompson

Excelsior

Photo: Google

One person was struck by gunfire on Friday afternoon in the Excelsior after a drive-by shooting.

In the incident, which took place at 3:14pm near the intersection of Persia Avenue and Dublin Street, four males of unknown age in an unknown vehicle opened fire on a car in front of them that was driven by two males, both 19 years old.

One of the intended targets suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, and his companion drove him to a hospital for treatment.

Anyone who has information about this incident is encouraged to contact SFPD via the department's anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444, or text TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message.

A motorist attacked a pedestrian who started recording her with a cellphone.

2017-12-11T17:16:53-08:002017-12-11T17:16:53-08:00Walter Thompson

Portola

Brussels and Bacon streets. Photo: Google

A woman driving a car that nearly a hit a pedestrian on Thursday returned to the scene to attack and rob her, police have reported.

On December 7th at 2:30pm, a 28-year-old woman was crossing the street at Brussels and Bacon streets in the Portola district when two women, one 18 to 25 years old, and another approximately 23 to 28 nearly struck her with a car. The younger suspect got out of the vehicle and confronted the victim before driving away.

A short while later, after the driver returned, the victim began to record the suspects using her cell phone. At that point, the driver attacked her, stole her phone and returned to her car. The victim, who received non-life-threatening injuries, "tried to retrieve her property to no avail," reported SFPD.

The suspects fled the scene in their vehicle, which was not described.

Anyone who has information about this incident is encouraged to contact SFPD via the department's anonymous tip line at 415-575-4444, or text TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message.

The holiday season is upon us, and for those who enjoy giving the gift of books, we'll be recommending a few 2017 releases from local authors. First up: a book for the young kids in your life.

San Francisco author Daniel Handler is better known to many readers as Lemony Snicket, the pseudonym he adopted for his bestselling children's series, A Series of Unfortunate Events. Though that series' conclusion arrived in 2006, it's become both a film starring Jim Carrey and a Netflix series, adding to its popularity. And both Snicket and Handler have released a number of other books, including another Snicket-centric series, "All the Wrong Questions."

The latest book from the local author's alter ego, Goldfish Ghost, is a children's book in collaboration with Handler's wife, illustrator Lisa Brown. It's intended for children aged 3-6, or a first or second grade reading level. Here's a plot summary:

"Goldfish Ghost was born on the surface of the water in the bowl on a dresser in a boy’s room. The boy’s room was pleasant and familiar, but Goldfish Ghost wanted company, so he set out to find a friend.

He floats over the neighborhood, past the pier, and let the breeze carry him into town where he discovers that not many people pay attention to goldfish ghosts. Off he floats, searching for the perfect home and the perfect friend, and then he hears a voice. . .

Bestselling author Lemony Snicket and illustrator Lisa Brown brings us a fresh and funny take on what happens after your favorite goldfish crosses over to the other side."

The book has earned acclaim from reviewers. "Can a book about death and the afterlife be refreshing and funny? In the hands of Snicket and Brown, indeed it can," wrote School Library Journal in a starred review. "This oddball offering should find a welcome home in any picture book collection."

It also received positive notices from Amazon customers, who rated it an average of four stars with 12 reviews. "As a parent of three children, and owner and past owner of countless pets owned by these children, I found this story to be oddly charming and so so appropriate for opening up discussions about the loss of a pet," wrote reviewer Kate Olson, who gave it four stars. "It is a very quirky book and is very 'Lemony Snicket-ish' in its darker subject matter."

A jury found Binh Thai Luc guilty of five counts of first-degree murder.

2017-12-11T15:22:59-08:002017-12-11T15:22:59-08:00Will Carruthers

Ingleside

16 Howth Street, where five members of the Lei family were slain in 2012. | Photo: Google

After a five-week trial and six days of deliberation, a jury has found a San Francisco man guilty of murdering five people in an Ingleside home in 2012.

On Monday, a San Francisco Superior Court jury found Binh Thai Luc guilty of five counts of first-degree murder for killing members of the Lei family at their Howth Street residence on March 23rd, 2012, along with two counts of burglary and five counts of robbery.

Luc, a 41-year-old plumber and Vietnamese immigrant, was arrested at a San Mateo hotel shortly after the bodies were discovered by one of the victim's 12-year-old niece at 7:45am the morning after the murders. When police arrived, they found bloody bodies doused with household cleaners, and a house that had been intentionally flooded.

The prosecution used evidence like spatters of a victim's blood on a pair of Luc's jeans and his fingerprint found on a spray bottle in the house to connect him to the crime. A murder weapon was never recovered, but prosecutors claimed Luc used a hammer.

The defense argued that although Luc was at the scene near the time of the crime, someone else committed the murders.

According to SFGate, Luc had been observed gambling large sums of money in the weeks prior to the killings; when he was arrested, police found $6,518 in cash on his person. Relatives of the Leis said the family kept large sums of cash in the house.

District Attorney George Gascón did not seek the death penalty, but because Luc lay in wait for one of his victims and committed a mass murder, he faces life imprisonment.

Goosefur, an Instagram user who claims to be a longtime employee, said they learned of the closure only after arriving at Brainwash this morning for a scheduled meeting. Although the coffee shop and laundromat are closed, its streaming interior cameras were still operational at the time of this writing.

Hoodline interviewed owner Jeff Zalles in December 2016 about the café's financial woes. At the time, he said revenue had fallen by 20 percent due to construction work on a 111-unit residential building going up next door.

Many comedians who practiced their set at with Spark at Brainwash went on to pursue successful comedy careers. The café's calendar is still booked until the end of the year, but it's unclear whether the open mics will continue.

Both awards are given to educational institutions for "overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups."

Sunset Elementary joins 25 other California schools that also received the honor. The cohort of recognized schools includes 292 public schools and 50 private schools in 44 states and the District of Colombia, as well as overseas Department of Defense Education Activity schools.

In recognizing the school for its achievements, the Department of Education describes Sunset Elementary as a "vibrant, multicultural community of engaged students, educators, and parents...Sunset embraces a culturally, linguistically and economically diverse student population."

Principal Sophie Lee said the school's success was due to its community of educators, parents and students.

"Each day at Sunset Elementary School ignites my passion to enrich the lives of all students," she said in a statement.

Ulloa Elementary was one of two California schools selected each year for the National Title I Distinguished School award out of a total of 100 schools recognized nationwide.

National Title I awarded schools must meet criteria in one of three categories: exceptional student performance for two consecutive years, closing the achievement gap between student groups, or excellence in serving special populations of students such as homeless, migrant, or English learners.

The award is also tied to educational funding and is known as the "cornerstone" to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It's the "largest federally funded pre-college education program in the United States and provides funding to school districts across the country to aid in the education of economically disadvantaged students."

"We are thrilled to be selected for the National Title I Distinguished School Award," Ulloa Principal, Carol Fong, said in a statement. "We are very proud of our talented students, outstanding staff and supportive families at Ulloa."

School officials will travel to Philadelphia in February to receive the award at the National Title I conference.

Ulloa Elementary has received numerous awards over the years for academic excellence as well, including receiving the National Blue Ribbon award in 2011, California Distinguished School in 2008 and 2011, and the California Title I Academic Award from 2001 to 2009.

In one incident, a man stabbed a teenager in a park who was retrieving an out-of-bounds ball.

2017-12-11T12:26:40-08:002017-12-11T12:26:40-08:00Will Carruthers

Excelsior, Ingleside

Google

Here’s a recap of recent criminal activity in the Excelsior and Outer Mission neighborhoods between November 16th and December 1st. These incidents were reported in the Ingleside Station newsletter and in daily SFPD recaps.

Angry driver cuts man who intervenes in fight

On December 2, a 49-year-old man received non-life-threatening injuries after he tried to intervene in an altercation between a 77-year-old man who was arguing with someone in a parking lot on the 1000 block of Ocean Avenue.

According to police, the suspect was driving erratically, then exited his vehicle and got into an argument. When the victim attempted to de-escalate the matter, the suspect cut him with a knife. The suspect stayed on the scene and was arrested at 7:22pm, while the victim was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Police capture armed robber in Excelsior

On December 1st at 10:14am, two men, one 23 and the other 31, were sitting in a car near the corner of Amazon and Moscow streets when a 30-year-old man approached and drew a gun on the older victim, who was sitting in the passenger seat.

After the suspect demanded his property, the man gave him his backpack. The suspect then told the driver to open the car's trunk and struck the 31-year-old man before walking to the rear of the car with the driver and stealing a second backpack.

Although the suspect fled the scene, officers in the area made an arrest and recovered the victims' property.

Man critically wounded in Sunnydale shooting

A 28-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries after he was shot on December 1st on the 1600 block of Sunnydale Avenue.

Police from Ingleside Station responded to a Shot Spotter activation at 7:22pm and found the victim lying on the ground. The man was transported to a hospital for treatment, but the suspects reportedly fled southbound on foot from the scene.

Dispute over parking tickets escalates to violence

After allowing his homeless friend to sleep in his car parked on the 4300 block of Mission Street, a man’s vehicle was ticketed several times, eventually accruing $800 in fines.

Police officers intervened on November 30th when a dispute over the fines resulted in violence around 5:06pm. Reportedly, the tenant threatened the car's owner with a knife when he asked for money to pay for the tickets, but the other party said he drew the knife in self-defense after the complainant punched him in the face.

Neither man agreed to sign a citizen's arrest form against the other, and both were released.

Mugger steals woman's backpack, purse

On November 28th at 9:55am, a 60-year-old woman was loading her car with groceries on the 2900 block of Alemany Boulevard when a man between 25 and 30 years old approached her in a car.

After exiting the vehicle, the suspect grabbed her purse and backpack; after a brief struggle, the suspect drove away with the stolen property.

Armed robbers target parked couple

At 5:35am on Thursday, November 23rd, a man approached a couple sitting in a car on the 300 block of Paris Street. The stranger knocked on the window and, when the driver rolled down the window, asked for a match to light a cigarette.

After the driver gave him a match, the suspect drew a gun and demanded the rest of the driver’s belongings. A second robber asked the passenger for her purse and jewelry. Both passengers handed over their belongings and the robbers escaped in a waiting Mazda sedan.

Man stabs teenager in park

A man stabbed a 16-year-old soccer player in the arm with scissors as the player was retrieving an out-of-bounds ball at Crocker Amazon Park on November 21st at 2:18pm.

The victim’s friends called police and a witness followed the suspect as he walked away from the field. When five officers arrived, the witness identified the suspect near the intersection of Moscow and Amazon streets. The suspect was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. The victim was transported to San Francisco General Hospital and treated for his injuries.

Pit Bulls maim Chihuahua, injure woman

Two dogs assaulted a 52-year-old woman and fatally mauled her Chihuahua, Joey, in an attack on the 600 block of Brunswick Street around 4:30pm on November 20th.

Described as Pit Bulls, the dogs were unleashed when they ran down the block and assaulted the smaller dog as the woman and bystanders tried to separate the animals. The woman, who was knocked over and dragged down the street while trying to protect Joey, was treated by medics at the scene.

Joey was pronounced dead from a bite to his neck at a nearby animal hospital. On December 2nd, SFPD announced that the pit bulls were in the custody of Animal Control, but the owner is still unknown.

Man arrested for carrying unlicensed gun

A customer at a grocery store on the 4500 block of Mission Street alerted a clerk that a man in front of the store had a gun around 12:08am on Wednesday, November 18th.

Multiple units from Ingleside Police Station responded and found a group of men walking away from the store. One man who matched the suspect’s description was found to be carrying a loaded Glock semi-automatic firearm.

The suspect, who was not licensed to own the weapon, said he had bought the gun at a farmers market. He was arrested and booked at Ingleside Police Station.

Mojo Bicycle Café at 639 Divisadero St. (and Grove) is closing. The café’s last day will be December 22nd.

In a note, the coffee shop thanked customers, friends and neighbors "for the years of coffee, bagels, flat fixes, and beers that we've shared," but said it was "time for Mojo to move on, and we need some time to figure out what that means."

The café has been around since 2007, but it may not be gone for good. Mojo is set to "shut its doors for a period of rest and reinvention."

However, we also found a real estate listing posted in September listing the property for $175,000 or $5,250 per month. “Café comes furnished with a beautiful brass overhead tap system with 10 taps,” it stated. “Large storage space with many possible uses awaits your vision.”

A sign bids goodbye to the neighborhood – for now.

For those planning to visit the laptop-free café before the closure, Mojo is no longer serving breakfast. However, it will continue to serve coffee and pastries on the weekend from 9am onwards.

We also reached out to owner Remy Nelson for additional comment, but at press time, we have not yet received a response.

In July, Nelson closed the bike shop in the back of the eatery. "Bikes are my passion, my customers have been amazing, and I have no regrets," Nelson said back then.

Patrons have already expressed their gratitude to Mojo on its Facebook page and its Instagram account. "Thank you for providing the community with such a cozy place for all comers," Instagram user ohsynapse said.

"Change is hard but I know something amazing will grow from this moments [sic] rest," added nomad69, another Instagram user.

"This neighborhood is pretty much like a village," Nelson told us in 2015. "I like the sense of community and I feel a sense of pride in creating a space for people to come together and meet each other."

A San Francisco native, Nelson grew up in Noe Valley and was inspired to create a bike café after a visit to Zeitgeist in the early 2000s.

"There were all these bikes in the back, and we were like, 'What if this place had a bike shop? It would totally survive.'"

Thanks to tipster Tyler C.

Seen something interesting while you’re out and about? Text Hoodline and we’ll try to find out what's going on: 415-200-3233.

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New Gym 'Oakland's Most Powerful' Opens Its Doors In the Dimond Districttag:hoodline.com,2010-01-01:/2017/12/new-gym-oakland-s-most-powerful-opens-its-doors-in-the-dimond-district

The gym features a variety of strength and mobility classes regardless of skill level.

A new gym and personal training spot has made its debut in the neighborhood. Newcomer Oakland's Most Powerful is located at 2002 Montana St. (between Adell Ct. &amp; Dimond Ave.)

This new gym is comprised of a diverse group of coaches and trainers with a variety of athletic backgrounds, including martial arts. Billed as a spot to empower athletes to maximize their full potential, it offers classes to help improve strength, mobility, and nutrition.

Expect to see classes like kettlebell basics; "All Levels Training," which consists of a 20-minute warm up and 30 minutes of strength training; and 30-minute "Swings" classes for those with time constraints.

Private training sessions and online nutrition counseling are also on offer. (You can check out the full selection of classes offered here.)

With a five-star rating out of three reviews on Yelp so far, the fresh arrival has been warmly received by patrons.

Jon C., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on November 3rd, said: "I took the Kettlebell Basics class with Luis and and it was fantastic! He was so friendly and knowledgeable."

Yelper B.J. K. added: “If you are looking for a gym, look no further! The things they care about here are personal attention, workout quality and community building. This is not your typical gym and that's a great thing. Check this gym out, you won't be disappointed!"

And Anuprit K. said: "These are the best trainers in the East Bay. Alexi, Mel and Luis are all rockstars."

Oakland's Most Powerful is open weekdays from 5:30am–8pm, closed weekends.